Rattlers

Role reversal for Rattlers, Shock as AFL playoffs open

by Richard Obert - Jul. 28, 2011 05:11 PMThe Arizona Republic

This time, the Rattlers get Spokane on their turf, with a chance to do what Spokane did to them last season and send them home for good.

But, even though the defending ArenaBowl champion Shock (9-9) needed a tie-breaker and the addition of two regular-season games to get into the playoffs over Utah as the fourth and final seed in the National Conference, the Rattlers (16-2) know better than to think Friday's Arena Football League quarterfinal at US Airways Center will be easy.

"It's total opposite of what it was last year, but at the end of the day, the records are out, everybody is zero-zero," Rattlers coach Kevin Guy said. "The regular season is behind us. It's about lose or go home. We've worked too hard to have an early exit."

That's what happened in the Rattlers' previous two seasons under Guy. They lost in the first round each year.

But this is by far Guy's strongest team in his three years leading the Rattlers.

Quarterback Nick Davila tied the league record for most touchdown passes (117) in a season. Defensive backs Marquis Floyd, Virgil Gray and Vince Hill have combined to intercept 26 passes.

They've seamlessly inserted future AFL Hall of Famer Chris Jackson into the offense with wide receiver Rod Windsor off to the NFL, and added accurate kicker Jason Witczak to replace Fabrizio Scaccia, also gone to the NFL.

This is Witczak's fourth stint with the Rattlers, and although he hadn't kicked a football in a year (focusing more on his golf game), Witczak converted his first seven extra-point attempts last week in Dallas before missing.

The Rattlers also are welcoming the return of receiver Trandon Harvey from injured reserve, and last year's first-team, All-Arena center Kyle Young from the delayed United Football League.

Spokane lost two linemen to the NFL this week, but added one and welcomed back talented receiver Markee White from the UFL.

Spokane went after Young, but Young said he felt obligated to Guy.

"He treated me right," Young said.

Spokane coach Rob Keefe, who was 4-0 against the Rattlers before losing the last meeting in Phoenix, is a fiery guy, much like Guy. He's gotten under Guy's skin in the past, but Guy refused to bite this week on questions regarding a perceived icy relationship with Keefe.

"I don't feed off his (personality)," Guy said. "I respect him and his coaching staff. They've done a great job. I respect him. I respect anybody who steps on the field with us. I like him? That's a different deal. But I've got no issue with those guys. He's got to get his team ready to play, and I've got to get my team ready. I can't even think of what they're doing over there. I can only control what I'm doing here."

Davila, who led Spokane to an af2 championship two years ago, knows the Shock will come after him. But he won't get too excited for this matchup.

"It's just another team," Davila said. "They're a good team. They found a way to get in the playoffs. They're going to play hard. You have to be ready."

Scouting report

Spokane update:The Shock (9-9) lost for the first time in five meetings against the Rattlers 68-46 on July 2. That was the Rattlers' last home game. QB Kyle Rowley, who entered in the second half in the teams' last meeting, will start. He is 4-0 in two years as the Spokane starter against Arizona. Rowley, who missed four games because of an injury, has passed for 3,322 yards and 78 TDs in 14 games. Spokane will have their top two receivers, Greg Orton and Markee White, who didn't play in the previous meeting against the Rattlers because they were tied to UFL teams. White had eight postseason TD catches last season leading the Shock to the title.